Northvale — Northvale’s local leaders should watch out!
Looks like they might have some competition.
Student Council members from the Nathan Hale Middle School stormed Borough Council June 11, taking the place of Borough officials and running the council meeting.
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Joe Camporeale/Suburbanite
Councilman Pat Marana points to something on the computer’s screen to Student Council Secretary Luke Ostrow.
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Dubbed Student Council Day, 23 students attended a Borough Council Assembly in the gymnasium, toured the Northvale Borough Hall and ate lunch at the McGuire Senior Center. The day culminated in an official Borough Council meeting with a complete agenda.
"This was great with the kids and the [Borough] Council," said school board member and resident Paul Bazela. "The kids brightened up the whole day."
Advisor Joan Tarrant brought the tradition back with the help of the Borough Council last year to encourage the students to learn more about their local government.
In the role of Mayor John Hogan, student Darryl Alfonso read the meeting’s agenda and wielded his gavel at opportune moments. The gavel swinging caused students to jump from their seats and others to stifle their laughter.
The agenda items seemed rather straightforward: liquor license approval for Hennessy’s Tavern at 191 Paris Ave., raffle license approval for the Northvale Fire Association and approval to submit road improvements grant application.
According to Councilman Pat Marana, the student council members quickly seized control of government matters. The students no longer waited for prompts from their older counterparts, voting for agenda items as they pleased.
"Motion for the approval of resolution No. 2008-89?" asked Alfonso.
Student Yeri Nam took the roll call in place of Borough Clerk Wanda Worner. The resolution passed unanimously.
"OK, we’re not missing a beat," Hogan said.
But before the students could read their last reports to the public, there was one surprise to be had.
Rio Vista’s Michael Mavroudis stood before the crowd, not far from father and Rio Vista founder John Mavroudis.
"As part of an effort to nurture the community we’re all a part of, I’d like to hand this to you," said Michael, handing a sealed envelope to Alfonso. The young mayor opened the envelope, finding a $10,000 check donated to the school media center in need of repair.
"Hopefully, the Board of Education can put [the money] to some good use," Michael said.
Hogan stressed the importance of such like Student Council Day.
He said that as a young student council treasurer growing up in Northvale, his social studies teacher "planted the seed" after he participated at his own Student Council Day. Hogan, whose father was Northvale mayor at the time, then joked that he landed the role of student treasurer by one vote.
The mayor then looked to Alfonso.
"OK Darryl, hit it," he said. "Motion to adjourn."
